The Swiss Market Index (SMI) rose 0.2 percent to 6,388.01 at the
close in Zurich, leaving the gauge down 1.4 percent this week
and 0.2 percent lower in August. The SMI has still climbed 12
percent from this year’s low on June 4 amid speculation that
central banks will take more measures to bolster growth. The
broader Swiss Performance Index also added 0.2 percent today.

“Markets remain torn between deteriorating fundamentals
and non-stop support from governments and central banks,” said
Lex van Dam, who manages $500 million at Hampstead Capital LLC
in London. “Bernanke and others keep repeating themselves by
saying that they will do everything in their power to support
the markets when the economy weakens.”

Bernanke, speaking at annual forum in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming, said additional asset purchases are an option as policy
makers consider further steps to bring down an unemployment rate
exceeding 8 percent that he called a “grave concern.”

Asset Purchases

His speech came two weeks before he leads a meeting of the
FOMC to decide whether an expansion of stimulus is needed. The
Fed has so far undertaken two rounds of large-scale asset
purchases totaling $2.3 trillion.

Roche gained 0.8 percent to 173.80 francs as Barclays named
the drugmaker a “top pick” among European pharmaceutical
companies, along with Dublin-based Shire Plc.

Holcim (HOLN) also climbed 0.8 percent to 58.55 francs as Davy
raised its recommendation for the cement maker to neutral from
underperform, saying the company will deliver “strong” third-quarter results.